Locking mechanism for building structures



July 5, 1938.

LOCKING MECHANISM FOR BUILDING STRUCTURES Filed March 3, 1937 INVENTOR.BY STEQV 1;].HEI'JIIIII5 ATTORNEY.

s. J. Homos 2,123,107

Patented July 5, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCKING MECHANISM FORBUILDING 3 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to improvements in locking mechanism forbuilding structures and has particular reference to a combined motoroperated and manually operated locking means which functions to lock thedoors of banks and like places wherein considerable cash is kept on handto prevent the escape of burglars who enter these structures with intentto burglarize the same.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a locking mechanismfor bank doors and like structures which may be either remotelycontrolled by a motor operating mechanism or that may be manuallycontrolled within the structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined motorcontrolled lock of the class described that will instantly lock eitherdouble or single swinging doors from a concealed point preferably in thefloor below the door or doors.

A further object of the invention is to provide a locking mechanism ofthis type that may be operated from an enclosure such as an adjoiningvault or it may be remotely controlled from either the inside or theoutside of the structure.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a lockingmechanism of the class set forth that is positive in operation, iscomparatively simple in construction and that may be installed in anystructure.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent withreference to the subjoined specification and the accompanying drawing inwhich:---

Figure 1 is a sectional diagram of my improved locking mechanism as itwould appear installed in a' banking or other structure and showing theoperating motor and manual control arranged in a vault within thestructure;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional detail showing one of the cam operatedlocks in locked position beneath one of the doors of the structure; and

Figure 3 is a transverse section of the same taken on the line 3-3 ofFigure 2.

In banking and like structures employing my system wherein swingingdoors are utilized and a burglar enters these swinging doors, said doorsmay be readily locked so that when he once enters the structure he isimprisoned therein until the oificers arrive.

This system includes swinging doors 5 and 6 hinged in the structure i inthe usual manner, as shown in Figure 1. These doors are provided withfixed cam members 8 and 9 arranged centrally thereof and under thebottom edges, as clearly disclosed in Figure 3.

The cams 8 and 9 are convex and are positioned in slots l formed in thefloor H and mating locking cams l2 and i3 are arranged upon rods 14 andI5, said cams l2 and I3 being fixed to the rod l4. These cams l2 and I3being concave and arranged to move laterally of the cams 8 and 9 fromcentral neutral positions to locking position which locking position isshown in Figure 2. In this manner a wedging action is effected so thatthe cams 8 and 9 are locked to the cams l2 and 13 thereby locking thedoors against movement on their hinges.

The mechanism for operating the cams l2 and I3 thru the action of therod l4 comprises a member 16 operated by the motor l1, pinion l8, andrack l9 meshing with said pinion l8 so that when the motor is energizedthru the medium of the battery 2|] and its circuit and when the switch2| is closed, the rod I4 is moved to operate said cams l2 and I3relative to the cams 8 and 9, the element l acting both as a guide and aconduit to carry the circuit wires.

Remotely located switches 22 are included in the circuit and may beutilized to energize the motor I1 from either the inside or the outsideof the structure. Suitable bearings 23 are positioned upon a sub-floor24 arranged under the structure floor H and house the rod l4 and the 30conduit 15, and conduit merely acting as a guide and prevents turning ofthe rod I4 and the cams l2 and I3.

A manual control lever 25 is also operatively connected to the motorshaft and may be used to operate the device in case the circuits arerendered useless by the cutting of the wires.

In Figure 1 of the operating mechanism has been shown enclosed in avault 26 or other suitable enclosure within the structure as in a bank.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States thefollowing;-

1. A device of the class described comprising means capable of beinginstalled in a building structure having swinging doors, comprisingfixed cam means positioned on said swinging doors, additional cam meanscooperating therewith to lock said doors, and motor driven means foractuating said second cam means.

2. A device of the class described comprising means capable of beinginstalled in a building structure having swinging doors, comprisingfixed cam means carried by said doors and movable cam means cooperatingtherewith to wedge said fixed cam means when moved relatively thereto,55

capable of Wedging said fixed cam members against movement to lock thedoors, a motor actuated means for operating said movable cam membersfrom neutral positions to locking position, and a remote control forsaid motor.

STEVE J. HODOS.

